BlackBerry smartphones are quickly losing favor among the average consumers and business users. Most smartphone users are moving to the iPhone or Android devices leaving BlackBerry maker RIM struggling.

RIM is hoping to plug a few holes in its sinking ship with a new update for BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) BBM Version 7 launched this week in beta and brings with it an interesting new feature that fans are sure to love. The new version of BBM allows users to make voice calls at no cost over Wi-Fi networks all around the world.

The update allows users to easily switch between texting and talking, and users can talk or text at the same time. BlackBerry also says that the new BBM Voice service allows for enriched collaboration for business users.

"BBM is the quick, easy way to stay connected to the people that matter to you, and with today's announcement we're expanding the capabilities of the service for deeper social engagement and even greater collaboration, beginning with voice functionality," said T.A. McCann, Vice President of BBM and Social Communities at RIM. "The new BBM Voice feature is for when you're travelling and you want to call home without worrying about phone charges. It's for when you have news you can't wait to share, for quickly explaining complicated details, and collaborating with colleagues. Whenever your ideas are too big for text, there's BBM Voice."

BBM Voice allows users to initiate a call directly or instantly switch from text to talking and back again. The updated app provides a visual indicator showing which contacts are available for voice calls. The service is also compatible with any accessories the customer has for making voice calls on the smartphone right now, including headsets that are wired or wireless. Users who receive a voice call they don't want to take can reply using text.

BBM Version 7 is available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone right now. The new version of BBM supports devices running BlackBerry 6 OS or higher with support for devices running BlackBerry 5 OS coming in the future.

RIM recently announced that its new BlackBerry 10 operating system would launch at the end of January 2013.

Okay, I am so sick of every single article on RIM always starts the first paragraph with slamming RIM and how bad they're off. To the yoyo's who write these articles, WE GOT IT. Why start the article with the same trash that's been printed the last thousand times. We know they screwed up the last couple of years. Why the constant dumping on RIM. We don't need a recap. There just seems to such a strong slant in the media against RIM.

For me, I'm looking forward to the new Blackberry's coming out. I may still get an iPhone, but I appreciate the new features and innovation they're trying to introduce.